Dempsey: Jared Jeffries fits in just fine in front office

The final, most definitive confirmation that he had made the right choice to end his playing career came in October during training camp.

Jared Jeffries could sit back in a cushioned folding chair next to a wall in the Nuggets' practice facility, watch the players be put through their paces and not get more than a slight twinge of wanting to join them.

And he got only that because he loves the competition.

Otherwise: His right knee is bone on bone. Taking anti-inflammatories had become as common as eating his favorite food. Constant rehabilitation was the norm.

"I don't miss being in pain," Jeffries said. "I don't miss shootarounds. I don't miss the stress of wins and losses, everything that goes into being a player."

He paused.

"It's been great though."

But now it's over. And he's looking forward to the next chapter in his life every bit as much as he enjoyed the first.

Basketball is in his blood. It has been ever since he burst onto the scene as a McDonald's All-American from Bloomington, Ind., and blossomed for the Indiana Hoosiers, whom he helped reach the NCAA title game in 2002. He carved out an 11-year career as an NBA player.

He had opportunities to continue his playing career this season, and also got an offer from Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly to join the team's newly crafted front office.

Connelly was willing to wait to get Jeffries, telling him early in the summer: "If you get the chance to play somewhere you want to play, go play. But if not, I'd love to have you come on my staff."

Jeffries accepted Connelly's offer.

"I've always wanted to be a head coach or GM," Jeffries said. "To have a chance like this, an opportunity like this, to go into what I want to do post-basketball right now — with a great organization, a new front office, a new coaching staff — I took this chance."

Both sides are taking a chance on the other. Have a conversation with Jeffries and there's an instant realization as to why Connelly wanted him on Denver's staff. He will do everything from scouting to day-to-day tasks at the Nuggets' offices at the Pepsi Center.

Listen to Jeffries talk, and you always want to hear more. He's 31 years old with the wisdom of a much older man. And he joined a staff of young brainiacs just like him.

The Nuggets' front office is youthful. NBA front offices will continue to skew toward a new generation of eager, energetic basketball minds. In an already competitive business, future slots within any organization will become even more centered on data, as information gets easier to crunch because of technology. The Nuggets' front office is an example of that.

"You don't need 700 guys doing work," Jeffries said.

But it will require having individuals like Jeffries.

"If we are successful and this goes the right way," he said, "I think it's kind of a blueprint of what franchises can do with young GMs, young owners."

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